Is there any point in using DOT 5.1 fluid if I have no other tweaks to my brakes?

 

I'm interested in this aswell. I'm about to change the 2pots on my car to 4pots so was thinking of changing to DOT 5.1 fluid in the process.

Also is there any difference between buying fluids from Halfords and ScoobySport or Graham Goode?

 

AFAIK - Dot5.1 is DOT5.1 - regardless of make.

There will be benefit to be had by replacing std fluid with DOT5.1 if you are getting brake fade as it has a higher boiling point. But difference would be greater with braided lines and higher spec brake kit

 

i use dot 5.1 with mintex c-tech pads - no fade on maybe 10 track days, which is pretty stunning (on an ITR, rather than a scoob). Yep, you'll have to change the fluid more often, but if you're doing track days then you'll be changing it at least once a year anyway, so its fairly academic.

I looked at the silicon fluid, but there was some big disadvantage - i cant remember what it was though (i think that you have to change it even more often than 5.1 though)

jon

 

If you change to DOT 5.1 fluid you will have to change it more often , probably annually , as it attracts water more readily than DOT 3 or 4 . A better option would be Castrol Racing DOT 4 synthetic ( not silicon ) fluid . It has a higher boiling point than 5.1 . I have it in my legacy and have done 4 slick shod track days and got no fade at all despite melting a set of EBC reds . I'm running standard discs . I had a Lotus Elise driver as a passenger on my last session on Sunday and he told me that I was braking at the same places as he was but he still over shot a few times whereas I didn't .